Questions around travel insurance is something we understandably hear a lot from people affected by blood cancer. Feel free to use this thread to discuss this topic and share tips on accessing travel insurance!
Update: June 2023 - We’ve partnered with Staysure to make travel insurance easier to access for people affected by blood cancer. You can read about our partnership and find out more, here - Blood cancer travel insurance with Staysure | Blood Cancer UK)
Has anyone else, since their diagnosis, experienced problems either getting travel insurance or the cost of it?
Yes, my insurer wont cover me at the normal rate for blood cancer, but will for other conditions, so if I’m travelling and it pops up again then they wont cover me. The only way i can get cover is by going to be of these so called specialist companies and pay a premium.
Hello @Richcastle,
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am sorry to hear that the only way to get cover is by paying a premium. It must be difficult for you to travel and worrying about costs. Do you pay the premium when you travel abroad or do you pay the minimum for other conditions? This topic hasn’t been covered in the forum and it would be great to know some of your experience dealing with travel insurance.
Hello @Erica,
Do you have to pay more for travel insurance? How is the process for you?
Hi @Richcastle - thanks for sharing your experience of obtaining travel insurance while living with blood cancer - it sounds like it is a challenge for you and many others.
Incase its useful to you, or other forum users, this is a link to the finances section of Macmillan’s website which discusses travel insurance and has links to lots of useful information, and makes good suggestions of where to find more resources if needed. You can also speak to someone within their financial department on 0808 808 00 00 Mon to Fri 8am-9pm. They also have a section on their forum here where those with cancer (not blood cancer specifically) share their experiences of gaining insurance and there are lots of suggestions of reasonable quotes from companies you may like to look through.** They have also recently reviewed their booklet on travel and holidays, which provides good information for people affected by cancer who want to travel.
Cancer Research UK also have a list of organisations and specialists in insuring those living with cancer – however this list doesn’t mean CRUK or Bloodwise endorse or recommend these businesses, and as such it’s important to do further research to ensure that the company you choose is the right one for you.
Just in case it’s helpful, Maggie’s Centre also provides an information document on travel insurances, which may be helpful in providing further information on companies that may offer travel insurance to people with a cancer diagnosis.
I hope some of those may be useful? All the best.
Since my diagnosis 14 yrs ago I have not applied for travel insurance because my husband had travelled a lot for his work and I was anxious and nervous for a long while after my diagnosis so neither of us really wanted to travel abroad. We are not good at booking to go away, we are happy just being at home and anyway there are rather a lot of places I still want to see in this country. I have read a lot of things about the problems people with blood cancers have had trying to get travel insurance though.
This isn’t about advertising a particular company but we have very successfully got travel insurance since my husband’s diagnosis and don’t pay an exorbitant sum. I saw this company listed on a page stuck up in our local haematology Ward and made a note to try them. Bearing in mind my husband was on treatment and wasn’t/isn’t in remission, we used www.insurancewith.com. Their qts allowed a full health picture to be given and we paid £55 for two weeks family coverage for eg for a holiday in Spain - and that was with cancer fully covered (£200 excess which we were happy with). We chose cover that would allow us to cancel trip if necessary. It took about an hr the first time to go through it all online and I did call them at one point to clarify a qt. I am sure other companies exist but these have been by far the best for us. I simply wouldn’t take a risk with my husband’ Health but this makes a break from the ‘norm’ possible
@Richcastle
@judesadventures
@Erica
Do any of you guys have any recent trips planned where you need to get travel insurance? Does price and policy change every year?
We’ve used the same company and essentially the same policy since n became ill. We do choose to buy a single trip each policy so that we can be sure of the info we’re giving to reduce the chance of an issue if we need to claim. We consistently use www.insurancewith.com
Hi Josh, no, we have not taken any trips needing travel insurance since 2003 !!! We are quite happy at home and have only gone away on a few short breaks in this country. My husband travelled abroad quite a lot for work, so in retirement he is content at home. I have so many lovely places on my ‘to do’ list in this country to visit. If I were to need travel insurance I would ask my peers for advice first.
I have used Freedominsure who were on the McMillan site. The cost is around £60 (for a week in Spain/Greece) which I guess is not exorbitant, but is still 10 times what my wife and daughter pay. And anything you declare is not covered. I am considered cured from my ALL as I am 11 years in remission, but due to other issues caused by chronic GvHD (that I am on medication for) it brings the price up.
I will get a quote from the company mentioned a few times on this thread and see if they can provide a cheaper quote.
I think i will keep a note of this website just in case anyone has a question about travel insurance in the future.
What places have you gone to visit in the country? I have recently just got back from Edinburgh and it was such a lovely city. I would love to go back if i can.
that is quite expensive for a week and does it only cover those two countries (Spain/Greece), or is the price the same in all EU countries?
Hi Josh, I was brought up going to my mothers friends in North East Cornwall for many years and board surf boarding on the north coast. Over the years I have been to the Cotswolds and the Lake District, plus lots of other places. Everywhere has different qualities and I have loved everywhere I have been to.
I think it would be the same price anywhere in Europe.
The quote was cheaper than those I got elsewhere. I will try insurewith.com next time as it sounds like they are a better price.
I heard the Cotswolds is such a beautiful place to be. I always here such great things about it.
@Nickmarks57 I wasn’t for sure if prices changed depending where you go in the UK. I am originally from the USA and health insurance is really expensive and insurance changes depending which state you travel to.